Hello! I've got one of the few Morris Hobbies Balsa Nova 40 that are around in the UK at the moment and as such can't find much info on what engines people are using.

Are many people flying BN40? And what is there choice of motors? At the moment I've got a Piped Rossi 53, but its playing up like mad (TERRIBLE transition often cutting out - with much fiddking of both needles achieving nothing). As such I'm going to replace it, but want something thats light with loads of poke! Irealise this might be treading on ground already covered in the 'Irvine 53 vs OS50SX' but I'd appeciate any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!!

Don't hesitate. Get the Irvine 53 and march on.

Enjoy,

Jim

IRVINE! IRVINE! IRVINE!
Carry on!


Jetts

Herc mate
I may have to disagree with w8ye and jett a little bit but loads of poke and light weight plus small package spells Webra 50 to me. That's what I have in my Balsa Nova. You didn't mention wether it's the original kit with a continuous fuselage to the spinner or a kit with the fiber glass cowl or an ARF. If it's not the fiber glass cowl anything physically bigger than the Webra will be difficult.

Ive gotta Webra 50 in mine and it goes like the clappers.

That Rossi is a fussy little bugger. They don't like Nitro and the shim is a big help.

Wanna flog it ?

The Balsa Nova is not a common sight at most fields but they are around. I have built both the 40 size and the 120 size. I love them both. They are kind of a cross between a fun fly and a pattern airplane. You can abuse the sticks horribly and they don't get ugly. The 40 size will fly great with anything from a strong 30 on up but it takes a strong 40 or more to pull it through nice knife edge loops and a strong 50 or more to have lots of power to spare in a hover.

I have an OS 160FX on mine and it is rather tame.

What are you using ?

Hello guys,

Thanks for your replys. My Balsa Nova 40 is the ARF version, its got the fibre glass cowl in. At the moment the Rossi 53 pretty much fills the front, and djlyon you're right it is a fussy little bugger. I'm running it on Model Technics 10% which is mostly synthetic, with 2% castor. The model is 2nd hand and the previous owner (who is a quite well known magazine reviewer) was running it on 20% nitro. Since I've had it I flown it about 3 times and every time the Rossi has gone deadstick forcing a long walk. I would flog it but what about postage across the pond!? I think a trip to JE is in order...

I also agree with you about the Webra 50, I've been following the thread in the Engines discussion 'Irvine 53 vs OS50SX' as I'm replacing the engine in my Chris Foss Wot 4 (do you have those in the States?). Lots of people love the Webras. Either that or an engine thats called a 'West 50t1' a modified Webra design thats sold in the UK by Weston UK.

Anyway keep 'em coming - LOADS of power and tiny weight is the goal, as I've seen the Morris Hobbies video and I want to be able to knife edge loop rather than just knife edge!

Your more than welcome to come to San Diego.

In the mean time you could send it to me Mum's in Yorkshire.
I am back fer Chrimbo

Send us a cheque for the Air Fare and we'll talk dates

Seriously though the Rossi 53 and tuned pipe were carefully packaged up this morning and sent to Just Engines for a Service. Paul said he would 'hit it with a hammer' til he found the problem so I'm sure its in good hands. If however I'm not happy with it when it comes back you're quite welcome to take it off me (for a small fee of course!)

So it would appear that this thread might turn into Irvine 53 vs MVVS 49 vs Rossi 53 vs Webra 50. Deja vu or what?

I have had a couple with YS45's....perfect results.
Piped and stock mufflers.

The Edge
I have a ST 2300 in it. It's quite enough for big round knife edge loops and will pull vertical out of a hover but not with a lot of jump. I'm surprised yours is docile with a OS 1.6. Maybe we have different definitions of docile.

Mike
Yes I love my YS45 but a bit large like the Rossi for some installations.

Hercmate
I've heard of the Westons and have been glad that it's not obvious to me how to get one. Saves me money.
Same goes for the WOTs.

Denis

A quick update on the Rossi 53. I sent it to Just Engines for a service and to find out what was wrong. I spoke to Paul today and the person before me had stripped it down and put the conrod back round the wrong way! That and the fact the carb was terrible too. Its now got an Irvine 53 Jetstream carb on and Paul said its doing mid 13's on an 11x6. So its going back in the Balsa Nova 40 and I should now get the performance I want. Thanks Paul!

But if it goes wonky again the Webra's sounding very attractive...